Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo raised the Philippine concern about a "pattern of aggression and militarization" in the South China Sea when he met with his fellow diplomats in Belgium for a discussion on current challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Delivering his remarks at the 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, Manalo noted that flashpoints flagged as risks to regional peace and stability "have existed for a while."

He particularly cited such activities in the busy waterway, which he said violated various laws and agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1982 Manila Declaration of the Peaceful Settlements of Disputes and the  2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

"Similarly, heightened tensions in the East China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan Straits shake the stable security regime that has for decades underpinned the vitality of our region as an economic force," he also cited.

While such risks are always being managed by diplomacy and dialogue, Manalo said, to over-characterize the developments mainly as a function of the US-China strategic rivalry "does not help in understanding the situation."

"For one, it puts the distinct and legitimate rights and interests of countries such as the Philippines aside, and secondary to the interests of the rivals," he said.

"It also obscures our judgment:  actions that are clearly illegal in international law and against the UN Charter are sometimes justified under the pretext of this rivalry.   At the same time, remedies to respond to these actions are viewed by a party in the prism of this strategic rivalry," he added.

Manalo warned that the Indo-Pacific is as vulnerable as any other parts of the world. The region also faces risks of uncertainties stemming from the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza, he added.

So he reiterated the region's "fundamental themes" to ensure peace. These are: being pro-people and communities, being in favor of inclusion and equality, thriving on cooperation and adhering to the rules-based order.

"In a world in flux, the rule of law guarantees equity and stability in the global commons," he said.

As the lead coordinator between ASEAN and the European Union, the Philippines, Manalo said, would like to assure that ASEAN's inclusive processes would always "offer the outlines of  constructive dialogue and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific."

He said Indo-Pacific discussions must embrace the voices of many actors, including ASEAN countries and Pacific island states, individually and collectively; and that the rule of law should underpin an order that fosters respect, trust, and predictability in inter-state relations.

"Our overarching objective remains to be the peaceful pursuit of development and more prosperous economies for our peoples and region. Geopolitical anxieties should not detract us from this," Manalo said.